The latest environment news from The Texas Tribune.
A recent report from the University of Texas found no direct link between hydraulic fracturing and water contamination. But as Mose Buchele of StateImpact Texas reports, researchers say that doesn't mean the practice comes without significant environmental risks. Full Story
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A high-profile leak last week exposed an effort to undermine the teaching of climate change in schools. As Erika Aguilar of KUT News reports, the subject also faces skepticism in Texas classrooms, where instructors must teach climate change denial alongside mainstream global warming theories. Full Story
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Aaronson interactively charts the legal wrangling between Texas and the feds, Aguilar on what Obama's budget means for the border, Galbraith on congressional ambivalence about a wind tax credit, Grissom on cuts to crime victims services, Hamilton on UT-Austin's plan to boost graduation rates, Ramsey on our woefully low voter turnout, Ramshaw on a new Super PAC targeting incumbents of both parties, Root on conservative opposition to the Keystone pipeline and M. Smith on cash-starved school districts in the advertising game: The best of our best content from February 13-17, 2012. Full Story
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As the drought drags on, many Texans are getting their own water wells drilled. But the growing demand has some worried that the groundwater could start drying up, too. Full Story
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The Canadian company that wants to build the Keystone XL pipeline is using its land seizure powers to get property easements for the project. And it’s causing frustration in a conservative patch of Texas. Full Story
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Texas has a commanding lead over other states in wind-power production. But the looming expiration of a federal tax credit jeopardizes the boom — and Texas' congressional delegation does not appear to be clamoring loudly to save it. Full Story
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The drought's effect on Spicewood Beach, a community in Burnet County that recently became the first Texas town to run out of water, has raised concerns about areas of the state on the brink of similar situations. Mose Buchele of StateImpact Texas reports. Full Story
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The Texas Supreme Court could decide by this week whether it erred in allowing pipeline companies to force their way onto private land. As Dave Fehling of StateImpact Texas reports, the legal wrangling comes as drilling in the state is surging. Full Story
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2011 — the driest year in Texas history — delivered a huge blow to cattle ranchers. And as Nathan Bernier of KUT News reports, the prospect of a continuing drought spells trouble for both ranchers and consumers. Full Story
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Aguilar on an environmental battle in South Texas, Galbraith on the impact of the drought, Grissom on the latest in the Michael Morton case, Hamilton and Theobald on plans for greater scrutiny of faculty performance, Murphy on Rick Perry's campaign donors and expenditures, Ramsey on where we stand on redistricting, Ramshaw on the intense interest in stem cell rules, Root on a congressman's controversial pipeline holdings, M. Smith on the backlash against student testing and Tan on the fight for a new medical school in Austin: The best of our best content from February 6-10, 2012. Full Story
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At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, weighed in on several issues he'll face if he wins election to Congress, including Texas vs. the EPA, same-sex marriage and funding for Planned Parenthood. Full Story
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A brawl is brewing in South Texas, but this one has nothing to do with cartels or drug smuggling — it's an environmental battle over a proposed surface-mining site that some Eagle Pass residents worry will ruin their way of life. Full Story
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Last summer’s record heat pushed the Texas power grid to the brink. As Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, a state House committee today will look into what's being done to prevent that from happening again. Full Story
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A report released Wednesday by the Texas comptroller's office looks at the impact of the current drought and other scenarios. Full Story
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Legislation cracking down on insider trading by members of Congress hasn’t landed on the floor of the U.S. House yet, but it’s already become a hot topic in Congressional District 10, which Michael McCaul of Austin represents. Full Story
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A report released Monday by the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation renewed its criticism of the Environmental Protection Agency. Environmentalists say the group's concerns are misplaced. Full Story
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The oil and gas drilling boom continues to benefit the Texas economy, but it's coming at a human price. Dave Fehling of StateImpact Texas reports on the disturbing number of workers in the industry who are getting injured, or worse, on the job. Full Story
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Unlike other Gulf states, Texas beaches did not get soaked with oil after the BP spill two years ago. Nonetheless, $100 million — and possibly far more, depending on the courts and Congress — is about to start flowing to Texas from BP for coastal restoration. Full Story
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Morgan Smith explains how some parents are choosing not to let their children take the new and rigorous STAAR tests. And Kate Galbraith tells us how state officials may use money from BP for coastal restoration. Full Story
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Coal may have fallen out of favor in the U.S., but it's still big business in Mexico, as residents of Maverick County have found out. Mose Buchele of KUT News reports on an effort along the Texas border to fight a mining operation that would bring coal to Mexican power plants. Full Story
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